CIVIL ENGINEERING PRACTICE - 2025/6
Module code: ENG1074
Module Overview
This module provides students with an appreciation of the nature of civil engineering practices and the role of a Civil Engineer. An introduction is provided on the fundamental principles of sustainability and practices of health and safety in design and construction. Case studies delivered by external lecturers are introduced to illustrate the principles and practices within the profession. Also, different media for graphics communications in civil engineering including freehand sketching, computer aided design (CAD), geographic information system (GIS) and configuration processing are introduced. These will be used in several different modules later in the programme including Integrated Design 1 (ENG1077), Engineering Surveying, Health and Safety (ENG2105) and Individual Project (ENG3135).
Module provider
Sustainability, Civil & Env Engineering
Module Leader
BEHNEJAD Alireza (Sust & CEE)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 4
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 81
Lecture Hours: 12
Tutorial Hours: 19
Practical/Performance Hours: 12
Guided Learning: 17
Captured Content: 9
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Civil Engineering Practice
- Introduction to architectural and structural forms.
- Introduction to the principles and practices of health and safety and sustainability within the construction industry and provide cases studies to illustrate good practice.
- Civil Engineering project case studies - provided by invited speakers from civil engineering consultants, contractors and specialists.
- Insight to the potential graduate experience in the Civil Engineering profession – provided by invited alumni.
- Physical model making (hand made and 3D printed) to explore structural forms.
Introduction to Graphics Communications for Civil Engineers
- Introduction to freehand sketching including the basics of perspective.
- Insight into 2D engineering drawing production using AutoCAD. This will include the use of basic commands, precision input, editing commands and controlling drawings with use of layers.
- Introduction to geographic information system (GIS) .
- Introduction to configuration processing and geometrical data generation for design and construction of structures.
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Cardboard Bridge | 20 |
| Coursework | Essay | 20 |
| Coursework | GIS Assignment | 10 |
| Coursework | Configuration Processing | 30 |
| School-timetabled exam/test | AutoCAD Test (2 hours) | 20 |
Alternative Assessment
Individual essay for cardboard bridge. Individual report for configuration processing.
Assessment Strategy
The assessment in this module consists of the following 5 units:
1- Design and make a cardboard bridge in small groups, as well as hand sketches. (LO 4)
2- An essay on different aspects of civil engineering. (LO 1-3)
3- A short individual report on the application of Geographical Information System for site analysis. (LO 6)
4- A report on configuration processing in small groups to create a selection of 3D configurations for structural forms, as well as 3D printed samples of created configurations. (LO 5 & 7)
5- AutoCAD class test for two hours to prepare a set of drawings. (LO 5)
Formative assessment and feedback
Feedback on the essay, GIS report and configuration processing will be provided on the submitted coursework. Also, overall performance of the students will be discussed with the entire cohort.
A bridge testing session will be organised towards the end of semester were constructive comments on the good designs and rooms for improvements will be provided to the entire cohort. This usually culminates with presenting students who produced the best bridge models with Prizes and Commendations presented by a representative from industry.
Module aims
- Provide students with an appreciation of the nature of civil engineering profession and its range of activities.
- Provide students with an awareness and appreciation of different types of projects that civil engineers undertake and the way in which the profession operates. This is illustrated via presentations delivered by professionals from the industry.
- Introduce the principles of sustainability within the construction industry and provide case studies to illustrate good practice.
- Introduce the concept of structural forms (bridges and spatial structures) and its role in civil engineering design.
- Introduce graphics communications for civil engineers including freehand sketching, computer aided design (CAD), geographic information system (GIS) and configuration processing.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Identify the roles of civil engineers and the links between various parts of the civil engineering industry. | KP |
| 002 | Describe different types of engineering problems and situations that civil engineers address, including the financial, environmental and practical constraints and be aware of the approaches typically adopted in these situations. | KCPT |
| 003 | Recognise the basic principles of sustainability and good practice within the design and construction. | KPT |
| 004 | Recognise structural forms and appreciate principles involved in the choice of structural form through physical model making. | KCPT |
| 005 | Produce appropriate hand sketches, as well as dimensioned 2D engineering drawings using AutoCAD. | KCPT |
| 006 | Use GIS (Geographic Information System) tools and spatial data sources to compare site characteristics. | KPT |
| 007 | Introduce geometrical data generation for design and construction of structures. | KPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy for this module is designed to provide FHEQ Level 4 students with an appreciation of the nature of civil engineering practices and the role of Civil Engineers in the profession. An introduction is provided on the fundamental principles of sustainability and practices of health and safety in design and construction. Case studies delivered by professionals from the industry are introduced and presented to illustrate principles/practices within the profession. The bridge model making group exercise is used to introduce the students to the concepts of structural forms and behaviour. Also, an introduction is provided on the freehand sketching, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Geographic Information System (GIS) and configuration processing throughout lectures and tutorials. Also, different visits will be organised which may include completed civil engineering projects, live construction sites and engineering offices.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG1074
Other information
Digital Capabilities will be developed through the use of different software packages such as AutoCAD and ArcGIS.
Students will make physical models and work on configuration processing in small groups, contributing to their Employability, as well as Resourcefulness and Resilience.
Case studies from different parts of the world will be discussed to raise the Global and Cultural Capabilities.
Basic principals of Sustainability will be introduced and students should discuss this in their individual essay.
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering BEng (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Civil Engineering MEng | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.